The deadline to register teams for the 2011 adult men’s and women’s basketball leagues has been extended to Friday, Feb. 18.

The recreation office is accepting registrations for men’s recreation league, men’s competitive league and women’s recreation league. However, if there are not at least four teams registered for the women’s league by the deadline, the women’s league will be canceled.

Registration forms are available at the recreation department office in Town Hall; team registration fees are $250 per team, plus a $30 fee per player.

The leagues are tentatively scheduled to begin in early March. Call the recreation office at 264-4151, Ext. 231, for more information.

Cross-country skiing

Thanks to the efforts of the Pagosa Nordic Club, cross-country skiing trails have been groomed on Reservoir Hill, in Town Park and in Yamaguchi Park to offer a variety of Nordic skiing opportunities in downtown Pagosa Springs.

An access point for the Reservoir Hill system is just south of the post office on Hot Springs Boulevard. Another point of access is the Spa Trailhead off of San Juan Street.

There are trails for skiers of varying abilities, beginning with an easier loop at the midway meadow which joins trail No. 7 near the fire hydrant. It traverses back toward the cabin, crossing the road and continuing out trail No. 7, past the owl sculpture, to the meadow by the water tank, then looping back to the cabin.

From the cabin, a more difficult trail leads to the radio towers and back down to the midway meadow. This route is quite steep in spots, so less-experienced skiers should exercise caution. All users are requested to be aware of the presence of novice skiers and share the trails responsibly.

For more information on cross-country skiing opportunities, visit www.pagosanordic.com.

Youth basketball

All youth basketball games will be played in the community center; games in the 9-10 division Tuesdays and Thursdays, while games in the 11-12 division will be played Mondays and Wednesdays. The seasons will run through early March.

Schedules for both divisions are available at the recreation office and are also posted in Adobe format on the recreation department page at www.townofpagosasprings.com.

For more information, call 264-4151 Ext. 231 or 232.

Skate pond

The skate pond behind the River Center is open for the season; the skate pond’s hours of operation are from dawn to 10 p.m. every day, except during the nights when ice-maintenance operations are being performed.

Resurfacing of the ice will be scheduled for Monday and Thursday evenings unless weather conditions keep the work from taking place. On those nights, the pond will be closed at 6 p.m.

A minimum ice thickness of four inches will be regularly monitored, but thin spots can occur, and an effort to mark them with orange safety cones will be made. Pond users are requested to leave the safety cones in place.

We also ask that no foreign objects be thrown onto the ice. The pond will remain open until safety concerns require its closure. Enjoy the ice.

Sports hotline

General information concerning the Pagosa Springs Recreation Department can be obtained by calling the Pagosa Springs Sports Hotline at 264-4151 Ext. 301 or logging on to townofpagosasprings.com and going to the parks and recreation link.

All schedules and upcoming events are updated on a regular basis. For any questions, concerns or additional information about any of the Pagosa Springs Recreation Department adult or youth sports programs, call 264-4151, Ext. 231 or 232.